All rules & regulations shall follow ASA except as modified, clarified or altered as follows. Adopted as of July 1st, 2015.

GENERAL RULES

RESPONSIBILITIES

Home team occupies the 3rd base dugout.

Home team is responsible for field preparation. Home team managers are responsible for re-scheduling. Home team decides if fields are playable. If possible, a 24 hour notice should be given for cancelations.

Coaches are responsible for their players and parents conduct during a game. Any parent issues will be dealt with through the head coach. If the offending parent continues, the head coach will be ejected. If the behavior continues, the game will be forfeited.

Make-up games must be made up before the end of the season. When a game is canceled, it is the home teams’ responsibility to coordinate with the scheduler to get a list of 3 potential make up dates and send that to the visiting coach. If make-up games are not completed, the home team will be recorded with a forfeit unless efforts have been made with the visiting coach to reschedule. If so, and the visiting coach was unable to play the game, the visiting team will forfeit.

PLAYING FIELD

Coaches on the Playing Field

8U – 2 Defensive coaches are allowed on the field for instruction only, during the game.

10U through HS - Only 1st and 3rd base coaches allowed on the field.

Area behind backstop is off limits to everyone.

No batter may warm up outside the on deck circle. On deck batter must be backside of the player up to bat.

Pitcher’s Plate Distance from Back of Home Plate

8U – 30 Feet – may be moved forward 3’ at umps discretion.

10U/12U – 35 Feet

14U – 40 Feet

HS – 43 Feet

Distance Between Bases

8U – 50 Feet – Safety Base to be used at first base

10U/12U/14U/HS - 60 Feet – Safety Base to be used at first base

UNIFORMS

All players must wear their official team uniforms with their shirts tucked in.

Wearing of jewelry is prohibited unless it is religious or medical; then it must be taped down for safety.

EQUIPMENT – Must be adhered to during practices and game.

Metal spikes are prohibited. (The league recommends the use of soft rubber or polyurethane cleats.)

Balls

8U –10” ASA approved FP Optic Yellow

10U – Any 11” ASA approved FP Optic Yellow, with COR of .47 or higher may be used.

12U/14U/HS - Any 12" ASA approved FP Optic Yellow, with COR of .47 or higher may be used.

All batters, on deck batters and runners must wear helmets while on field and when taking warm up pitches.

If the batter/base runners intentionally removes her helmet, the umpire will give a team warning for the first infraction, any further infractions will be an out and possible ejection.

The ASA hat rule has been waived.

SAFETY

A game will be called if there is visible lightning in the vicinity. Games will be resumed when there has been no lightning or thunder for a period of 30 minutes. All players must be removed from the dugouts and field areas to an area of safety.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PROCEDURE: A player or coach who is bleeding or who has an open wound shall be prohibited from participating further in the game until appropriate treatment has been administered. If medical care or treatment can be administered in a reasonable amount of time, the individual does not have to leave the game. The length of time that is considered reasonable is the umps judgment. If there is an excessive amount of blood on any part of the uniform, that part of the uniform shall be changed before that individual may participate.

No foreign material (i.e. hitting devices) on the fence lines during a game. No hitting balls into the fences.

No "slashing" allowed. (No showing bunt, pulling back and swinging away). A batter that takes a full swing after showing bunt will be called out immediately and runners on base, if any, cannot advance.

PLAYERS - A player can only play on one team and one town in a season. This is waived for fall ball.

14U/HS – minimum of 8 players - If only 8, the 9th batter is out. If a player leaves or is injured there will not be an automatic out if there are 9 players still playing. Coaches can amend this rule if both are in agreement on a per game basis.

Offense

Batting Order: A continuous batting order shall be used by all teams. If a batter is hurt and cannot continue, the next batter takes her count. She may come back in to play when ready. Opposing team must be notified.

Playing Time / Positions

8U - Pitchers, catchers, 1B and 3B may play a maximum of 2 innings in these positions.

10U - A pitcher can pitch no more than 3 innings per game (Pitching to 1 batter in an inning will be considered a full inning.).

12U - A pitcher may pitch a max of 4 innings per game. Pitching to 1 batter in an inning will be considered a full inning.

14U - There will be a limit of 5 (4 for fall ball) innings per game for each pitcher. Any team deliberately evading this rule shall forfeit that game. When a pitcher throws one (1) pitch, it will be considered as one (1) inning pitched. A pitcher may only re-enter the pitching position one (1) time.

HS - There will be unlimited pitching

“Bringing Up” Players - During regular season & tournament play, you can bring an eligible player up if you have less than 9 players on your roster available. An eligible player must be currently on the roster of a lower age team within the League. Players being brought up may not occupy the Pitcher position at any age level. Players of questionable eligibility must produce satisfactory verification within 24 hours of a protest. Without verification, any games played with an unverified and/or ineligible player will revert to a forfeit.

THE GAME

Warm-up starts 30 minutes prior to the scheduled game time. Each team has 15 minutes on the field. Home team shall have the field 30 minutes prior to game time, visiting team shall have the field 15 minutes prior to game time.

If the game is suspended prior to a completed game, when the game is replayed, the same runner shall be put on the same base and the same batter with same batting order shall resume until the game has been declared complete.

8U

5 complete innings are to be played. Games have a drop dead time of 60 minutes. Unlimited scoring per inning once through the lineup up to ten (10) batters or 3 outs whichever comes first.

10U

Games are 6 complete innings, except when the home team has a large enough lead (see RUN-AHEAD RULE below). In the case of games shortened by weather, a game will be considered complete after 4 1/2 innings if the home team has the lead; similarly, a weather-shortened game will be complete after 5 full innings regardless of score. 4 runs per inning max for the first 5 innings. Unlimited runs for the 6th or last decided inning, and extra innings. Regarding regulation in-house games, ump should call last inning at or around 70 mins with last batter called at 1 hour 30 mins. 1 standard extra inning in case of a tie after 6 complete innings. In case of a tie on days where both teams are to play again in the second game of a doubleheader, or with no following game on that field, the game continues with the international tie breaker rule in effect until one teams wins – neither the 90 min. time limit nor the limit on extra innings apply.

12U

7 complete innings are to be played (5 innings min). A completed game is 4 1/2 innings if the home team has the lead. 1 extra inning in case of a tie. 5 runs per inning max for the first 6 innings. Time limit is 1:45 minute NO NEW INNING. The umpire shall call final inning at around the 1:30 minute mark. Unlimited runs for the 7th or LAST DECIDED INNING, and extra innings. In case of a tie on days with doubleheaders and with no following game on that field, the game continues with the international tie breaker rule in effect - the 1:45 time limit does not apply.

14U/HS

A game consists of 7 innings. There will be a 1:45 no new inning rule in effect. An inning starts at the 3rd out of the prior inning. A team can only score 6 runs per inning for 14U level. The last inning will be unlimited runs. High School has no run limit per inning.

If it is getting close to the time limit the umpire will decide which inning will be the last. If a game is tied at the end of 5 innings and the 1:45 hour limit is met, umpires shall decide if there is sufficient light to continue after each additional inning, until there is a winner. If a tie cannot be broken before darkness, the game shall be completed at a date agreed upon by the coaches, or remain tied, if unable to reschedule. If the game is tied after 7 innings and there is sufficient light to continue, the international tiebreaker will be used. A completed game is 4 1/2 innings if the home team has the lead.

RUN-AHEAD RULE

8U – Not Applicable

10U through HS - If one team is ahead by 15 or more runs after 4 innings (or 3 ½ if the home team is ahead), 10 or more runs after 5 innings of play (4 ½ Innings if the home team is ahead), the game shall be considered complete. Exception: 10U. If one team is ahead by 12 or more runs after 4 innings of play (3 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead), the game shall be considered complete.

PITCHING - IHSA rules for pitching motion will be followed. (The pitcher may start with one (1) or two (2) feet on the rubber.) Pitchers re-entering the game the same inning will not receive a warm up pitch.

8U - Coaches are to throw 5 pitches. 3 swings on a tee. After the first 2 weeks, tee to be used at coaches discretion. Player at the pitching position is to wear a helmet with mask & chin strap while on the field.

10U – HS - ASA Rules are in effect.

BATTING

8U

Batter's Box - No enforcement.

Bunting - Not allowed.

Foul Balls - N/A

Hit By Pitch - N/A

Dropped 3rd Strike - Not in effect.

Batting Tee - Batting tee is to be used after coach throws 5 pitches, for the next 3 swings. Tee should not be use after 06/01 but can be at the coach’s discretion.

10U/12U

Batter's Box - The batter is out if they step on or in front of home plate during the pitchers delivery.

Bunting - Allowed.

Foul Balls - Unlimited with 2 strikes.

Hit By Pitch - Batter is awarded 1st base if reasonable effort was made to avoid being hit. If the ball bounces on the ground prior to hitting the batter and the batter has made reasonable effort, the batter is awarded 1st base.

Dropped 3rd Strike

8U and 10U - Not in effect.

12U through HS in effect.

14U/HS

ASA Rules are in effect.

BASE RUNNING

8U

Stealing -Not allowed.

Pass Balls - Not allowed.

Lead Offs - Not allowed.

Sliding -Not mandatory, but contact between runner and fielder should be avoided

Baseline - Runners should stay within 3' of the baseline.

Infield Fly Rule- Not in effect

If ball is hit into the outfield, base runner may advance as far as she can while chancing putout.

10U

Stealing - Not allowed.

Pass Balls - Not allowed.

Lead Offs - Allowed after the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. Runners leaving the base too soon will be called out.

Sliding - Optional but runners must avoid contact when a play is made at 2nd, 3rd, or home or they will be called out.

Overthrow - One base beyond the base being approached will be awarded if the ball goes out of play.

Baseline - Runner is called out when running more than 3' outside of the baseline.

Infield Fly Rule - Not in effect.

Dead Ball - Play is dead and runners cannot advance once any infielder has possession of the ball in the pitchers circle. (Ask ump for clarification of Dead Ball vs. Live Ball.)

Continuous Walk - Not in effect.

Runners can advance on "pick off" play.

12U

Stealing - Allowed for all bases.

Pass Balls - Allowed.

Lead Offs - Allowed only after the ball has left the pitchers hand. Runners leaving the base too soon will be called out.

Sliding - Optional but runners must avoid contact when a play is made at 2nd, 3rd, or home or they will be called out.

Overthrow - One base beyond the base being approached will be awarded.

Baseline - Runner is called out when running more than 3' outside of the baseline.

Infield Fly Rule - In effect.

Dead Ball - Play is dead and runners cannot advance once any infielder has possession of the ball in the pitchers circle.

Continuous Walk - Not in effect.

14U/HS

Slide rule: “When a defensive player has the ball (OR THERE IS A PLAY ABOUT TO be OR BEING MADE) and the runner remains on her feet and deliberately, crashes into the defensive player, the runner will be declared out.” And possibly ejected for malicious contact. A runner may slide into the fielder. There will be NO PROTESTS, umpires will make all calls.

UMPIRES – ONLY HEAD COACHES MAY ADDRESS AN UMPIRE

8U

Parent/coaches umpires will be utilized (1 from each team).

Decisions - Decisions by all umps are final. There are no provisions. Appeals must be made prior to the next pitched ball. Unless appealed, an ump cannot call a runner or batter out.

Interference - No penalty.

Thrown Bats - Upon the umps judgment, a thrown bat will result in the batter being called out.

Weather - The ump will, in consulting with the coaches, suspend a game if lightning or the assumption of lightning is present.

10U/12U

Paid umpires will be used.

Decisions - Decisions by all umps are final. There are no provisions. Appeals must be made prior to the next pitched ball. Unless appealed, an ump cannot call a runner or batter out.

Interference - Base runner is out if interfering with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball.

Thrown Bats - Upon the umps judgment, a thrown bat will result in the batter being called out.

Weather - The ump will, in consulting with the coaches, suspend a game if lightning or the assumption of lightning is present.

14U/HS

Patched umpires will be used.

TOURNAMENT UMPIRES

14U – Two (2) patched umpires will be provided for the final round of the tournament.

HS – Two (2) patched umpires will be provided for the final round of the tournament.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ALL TEAMS/TOWNS

ALL COACHES/players/parents/guests, regardless of residence, town association, and/or prior completion of any other Code of Conduct, will be held responsible for their behavior at any field, or location being sponsored by Central Kane County Softball Organization. Negative behavior that cannot be resolved within their organization will be brought forth to the Board of the Central Kane County Softball Organization for review. If the infraction(s) is not resolved to the satisfaction of each town’s representative, then a citation may be imposed on that organization as a whole. Three (3) infractions in one (1) season will result in suspension of the entire organization from play within the Central Kane County Softball Organization.

FAQ’s

DROPPED THIRD STRIKE: Dropped third strike is when the catcher fails to catch what would be the 3rd strike call before it touches the ground when there are fewer than 2 outs AND 1st base is unoccupied OR anytime there are two outs, the batter can run to 1st base. The batter will be called out if tagged by the catcher with the ball or if the batter "checks" herself out by walking to the dugout (or out of the baseline). The catcher may pick up the dropped ball and attempt to throw the batter/baserunner out at first.

CONTINUOUS WALK: Continuous walk is when the batter becomes a baserunner by being awarded 1st base on balls and continues past 1st and goes to second. The batter who is now a baserunner - once committed to going to second must continue to second at their own risk. They cannot stop or hesitate on the attempt at second base while the pitcher has the ball in the circle unless the pitcher makes an attempt at a play on the runner. If the batter stops / hesitates after rounding first base while the pitcher has the ball in the circle without an attempt being made on the runner, the runner will be declared in violation of the look back rule and called out.

IN-FIELD FLY RULE: Infield fly rule is when there are runners at 1st and 2nd OR bases are loaded with less than 2 outs and the ball is popped up into the infield. The umpire shall call "Batter is out" or some variance thereof, and the runners may advance at their own risk.

PASS BALL: a pass ball is a legally pitched ball that should have been caught but gets by the catcher. The runners (including the batter) may advance at their own risk including stealing home.

STANDINGS: Results of all games shall be sent by email to the hosting league within 24 hours of the start time of the last regular season game, by the director of each individual league. In the case of a tie for first place, a 1-game playoff will be held (location to be determined by a coin toss). A tournament will be held for each division (excluding 8U) at the end of the season. Standings will be decided by win-loss percentage; if tied then head-to-head, then total points.